Meet the Golf Zoo Team

Golf Zoo was created by golfers and travel professionals with over 25 years of experience. A one-size fits all approach might work well for some things, but we think golf vacations should be tailored to you. That's why our motto is Golf Vacations Fit to a Tee. Our Golf Vacation Specialists help you tailor your vacation to fit your needs and budget, and actually live and play in the destinations they specialize in. Their expertise and commitment are fueled by a genuine love of the game. Count on us for personalized service and accurate, unbiased information. Whether you're traveling with friends or planning a corporate outing, leave the details to Golf Zoo. We'll deliver a high quality golf vacation at a competitive price.

» Christopher Parcell

Vice President

Phoenix / Scottsdale Office

“CP” is celebrating his 15th year in the Golf Vacation business this year. Originally from Austin, TX, Chris has lived in the Scottsdale area with his wife Michelle since 1999, and has witnessed his own handicap go from 12 to 20 since the birth of his daughter Abigail in 2003.

The founding member of the Scottsdale based “CPGA” where wagering is more revered than actual skill or work ethic on the range, CP has been “totally lucky” enough to score 2 Holes in One - the first in 1993, and the 2nd in 1996. A die hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, CP has been noticeably irritable after his beloved Steelers were knocked out of the playoffs by the hated Ravens.

» Lori Greene

Golf Vacation Specialist

Phoenix / Scottsdale Office

Lori originates from NY, thus that fabulous accent. She's lived in Scottsdale AZ for more than 20 years and still can't lose that twang.

Lori is married to her wonderful husband Joe and has resided in Scottsdale for 20 years. Her son Alex is recruiting for the Army in Florida while her younger son Jake is in the Navy on the USS Ronald Reagan and is out to sea as we speak.

She is the proud grandma of four beautiful grandchildren.

» Glen Parizo

Golf Vacation Specialist

Orlando Office

Glen has been playing golf for over 40 years - and “darn it”, he still looks good. Glen grew up in Upstate New York and has been living in Orlando for about 15 years and loves it. Glen recently celebrated his 8th year with Golf Zoo, and was basically the individual who opened up and grew the Florida area.

He has played competitive golf over the years and at one time had a 1 Handicap. That's not the case now - working too hard at Golf Zoo and loving it. “How great is it to be a passionate golfer and talk about it every day!” Glen has an 20 year old son that is attending college in Florida. If you want an honest opinion of golf in Glen's area - he won't pull any punches - you will always know what you're getting.

» Craig Gordon

Director of Sales

Mid Atlantic Office

Craig, a Maryland native, graduated from Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach with a degree in Professional Golf Management and Marketing. After spending 7 years as a Golf Professional and rarely having the opportunity to work on his own game, he joined the Golf Zoo team in 2005. Now playing all the golf he can handle is a part of the job!

Craig has been around golf his entire life, taught entirely by his dad on their backyard green and driving range. Now he and his wife Amber have 2 children- Lyla who is 5 and Connor who is 2. He is just dying to get a golf club in their hands!

» Mark Sutherland

Golf Vacation Specialist

Orlando Office

Mark is a native Floridian living in the Orlando area and has played courses all over Florida since taking up the game at the age of 7. He lived in North Carolina for eight years as well... that may explain the slight southern accent and high expectations for great southern hospitality. Like others that have played the game, Mark was a good player through college and a few years after, but with a busy family, in addition to the rigors of the corporate world, lost his game. He has vowed to get his game back, but that is unlikely as his Golf Zoo customers and teenagers keep him happily busy!

» Mike Alfano

Golf Vacation Specialist

Myrtle Beach Office

Mike grew up in New Jersey before migrating south to Myrtle Beach, SC in 2000. Since living there he has picked up the game of golf. Even though he still considers himself a hack, he enjoys it just the same.

When Mike isn't working or out on the course, he likes to spend time with his wife, Sybil, as well as go surfing. He is quite content getting to live in a place that offers him as many courses and waves as he can handle.

» Diana Crosthwaite

Golf Vacation Specialist

San Diego, CA Office

I have lived in San Diego most of my life but I do enjoy traveling and seeing different places, experiencing different cultures and checking out different golf courses but I am always happy to return to Southern California. I have been in the travel industry since 1988 and it's great to be able to concentrate just on golf holidays. Currently my favorite golf course is Bandon Dunes, getting over the water on the 16th was awesome! When I score high on a course I blame it on my set of Junior Golf Clubs, have you ever tried securing a Junior set of clubs on to the back of a buggy! Any free time I have is spent with my family, we get together often for Bar-B-Q's and we enjoy going to the beach.

» Scott Curry

Golf Vacation Specialist

Southern California Office

Scott grew up in San Diego until he thought he was good enough to be a professional golfer. He moved to Palm Springs and soon realized he was nowhere near good enough!

After four years in Palm Springs caddying at The Tradition Golf Club and playing a bunch of golf, Scott moved to the Oregon coast to start caddying at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. This last summer was his 9th year caddying and he continues to caddy when he isn't too busy.

Although he still plays to about a +2 handicap, he is way too busy spending time with his wife, Tracy and two beautiful girls Addison, 4 and Elise, almost 2. Scott has tried to get his girls into golf, but ballet seems to be the chosen hobby for now!

» Rick Holofcener

CEO

Chiang Mai, Thailand Office

Rick, a serial entrepreneur, has started many travel related businesses since 1982 including Tours de Sport, Golf Zoo, EasyRes Technologies, and ResLogic. His 25+ years experience operating leisure travel companies coupled with his experience creating reservation systems and online booking engines for the travel industry has helped keep their travel businesses on the cutting edge. Rick is currently living in Chiang Mai, Thailand and enjoys playing golf as often as possible.

» Ed Holofcener

President

Baltimore, MDWest Palm Beach, FL

Ed was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. Happily married for almost 30 years (Wow!) with a son in law school in MD and a daughter out in the real world in Minneapolis, MN. He and his wife, Janine, are now “snowbirds” and elude the cold weather by spending over ½ the year living in West Palm Beach, FL. They travel quite a bit “testing” out various golf courses around the US and beyond. It's a tough job but somebody has to do it! In 2011, they were able to check Pebble Beach off their bucket list. His biggest thrill in the sport came in 2006 when he finally got that ever elusive Hole-In-One at Sunridge Canyon in AZ. Ed started Golf Zoo with his brother, Rick, in 2001. They also own Tours de Sport, a ski travel company, founded in 1982 which is celebrating it's 30th year in 2012.

» Jean FitzGerald

Director of Operations

Baltimore Office

A Maryland native, Jean tried the fine sport of golf, enrolling in lessons with 2 different pros. But when neither would let her off the driving range, she knew it was time to pack in the clubs and call it quits. The best part - shopping for all those new outfits! Started with Golf Zoo in 2001 as the Financial and Personnel Manager and she has stayed safely behind her desk ever since. After getting an Eagle at Pebble Beach on the XBox, she decided it was time to give the game a 2nd chance. It may have taken 4 hours but she did finally get in 8 holes... She sees a shopping trip in the horizon.

» Chad Orton

Director of Marketing

Baltimore Office

Chad has lived in Upstate NY for most of his life, but after graduating from SUNY Oswego with a degree in Marketing, he moved to the Baltimore area. Interest in both marketing & computers brought him to the Golf Zoo team in 2004 as the eMarketing Manager. With a Handicap thats too high to even say, he understands he will be a far better golfer while playing “Tiger Woods PGA Tour ” than he will ever be in the foreseeable future in real life. He enjoys spending time with his wife & 2 daughters when away from work.

» Craig Lipinski

Operations Manager

Baltimore Office

Craig spent his entire life in the Baltimore area, currently residing in Towson. He is a recent graduate of Towson University, earning a degree in Marketing. In January 2008, he started at Tours de Sport as a Marketing Assistant Intern and most recently has been working in the Operations Department as the Operations Manager. In his free time, he enjoys jamming on his guitar to his favorite music.

» Jessica Evanick

Marketing Assistant

Baltimore Office

Jessica, a New Jersey native, relocated to Baltimore in 2010 to attend Towson University. In 2014 she earned her degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing. While at Towson, she was a four year student-athlete with the women’s soccer team. It was a rewarding experience that allowed Jessica to polish her goalkeeping skills before hanging up her cleats after graduating. In general she enjoys watching and playing a wide variety of sports, or relaxing with a good Netflix movie on.

» Snowy

Mascot

Baltimore Office

Snowy started with Golf Zoo in 2005 and has learned a lot in the time she has been here. She takes great pride in working here and is very eager to come to work each day. She has kept the office a “cat-free” environment during her tenure here. She has lived in the Baltimore area her whole life and is very familiar with the lay of the land. She does not golf but has been known to chase the occasional stuffed animal.